Match paoketing machine and method



March 28, 1939. 'R s. PULLEN 2,152,441

MATCH PACKETINGMACHINE AND METHOD Filed Dec. 28, 193e 'sa sheets-sheet 1 "ml' u wu u #l .I ,11) /111 l' wmvceof March 28, 1939. R. 5 `PU| EN 2,152,441

l MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Deo. 28. 195e' 9 Sheets-sheet 2 March 28, 1939. v R 5 PULLEN 2,152,441

MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Deo. 28, 195e 9 sheets-sheet 5 r l l www@ Mv y y ...g "sg/ M /mf/ M1291 March 28, 1939. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Deo. 28, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mmh 28, 1939. R. s. PQLLEN MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD 9 Sh'eetS-Shee 5 Filed Dec. 28, 1936 March 28, 1939.

R, s. PULLEN MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed DGO. 28, 1936 9 Sheehs-SheeI 6 Zwerar' @3fm v "im may March 28, 1939.

RIS. PULLEN MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed DeC. 28, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 28, 1939. R s, PULLEN 2,152,441

MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Deo. 28, 193e 9 sheets-sheet 8 R Y Z7 12 Zi 155 ,125 Q 554, 5@ w \.\.`\JM y 176 Jia 129 76 70 127 f' 12 5 J 15.5' 126 4 I L %m Y /Wmmm' March 28, 1939. R. 5. PULLEN 2,152,441

MATCH PACKETING MACHINE AND METHOD 'Filed Dec. 28, 1936 9 sheets-sheet 9 Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Rodney S. Bullen, Akron, Ohio, assigner to Pullenlite Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December' 28, 1936, Serial No. 117,818

32 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the manufacture of match packets or match books, suitably starting with match comb transfer mechanism at the delivery end of a match comb machine of the prior art.

A purpose of the invention is to receive the successive match combs from a match comb machine upon a succession of laterally spaced slats which slats preferably function as wedges, registering the slat edges successively intermediate the spread staggered rows of the match portions of 'combs discharging from the comb machine.

A 'further purpose is horizontally to feed match Combs stub edge forwardly from a succession of laterally spaced holders, preferably wedges, each holder positioning and preferably resiliently gripped by one of the combs of the spread rows of matches.

A further purpose is to progress a match comb step by step in its own plane, stub edge forward and successively to cut and spread sections of the comb for simultaneous delivery of the cut and spread sections to wrapping or packeting mechanism.

A further purpose is to mount cutting and spreading members upon a common vertical plunger and simultaneously to operate upon different match combs.

A further purpose is to provide novel alternative mechanism for assembling two comb sections, from different combs, in the same match packet or match book.

A further purpose is to use a succession of laterally spaced transverse bars, movable as a unit, forwardly to progress a succession of match combs, stub edgewise, to diiierent successive open ating positions oi cutting and. spreading members and to use longitudinally spaced portions of the last bar of the unit to deliver the spread sections simultaneously to different links of match book mechanism, optionally delivering to the links on alternate strokes only of the unit, and on the said alternate strokes delivering two comb sections, one above another, into each link.

A further purpose is to deliver stub edges of match comb sections into vertically spaced portions o the same link of a Pullenlite packeting machine alternatively at the same position or different positions longitudinally of the chain of links.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have elected to illustrate a few only of the diierent forms of the invention, selecting forms however that are practical and eicient in operation and which well illustrate the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in vertical section, and intended to show a conventional conveyor of a match comb machine of the prior art delivering to a match comb transfer tray of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section of Figure l taken upon the line 2 2 thereof.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in vertical section, and illustrating match comb handling, cutting and delivery operations and mechanism for the manufacture of match packets from match combs.

Figures 4 and 5 are differently modied portions of Figure 3, respectively for the manufacture of the same and of a different type of match packet from that intended in Figure 3.

Figures 5a, 5b and 5c` are a top plan view and two fragmentary sections illustrative of the operation of the structure seen in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a top plan illustrating more specifically one embodiment of the structure of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a sectional elevation of Figure 6 upon the line 'l--l thereof in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a left elevation, in part a vertical section, of Figure 7, on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a modified portion of Figure 6 to illustrate different spreading mechanism from that shown in Figure 6.

Figures l0 and 11 are sections respectively of Figure 9 upon the line lil-l0 thereof and -of Figure 10 upon the line I I-l I, both in the directions of the arrows.

Figures l2, 13 and 15 are sectional elevations showing suitable packeting conveyer mechanism for use in the manufacture of the Pullenlite type of packets.

Figure 14 is an enlarged section taken upon line M--M of Figure`13.

Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating suitable cycles of movement of diiierent motive membersl or" Figures 3 to 11.

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic plan view of distributing, conveying and discharging mechanism.

Figures 18 and 19 are plan views of a wrap and a bail which may be used in the completion of the structure of Figure 13 into that of Figure 15.

Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

In mechanism of the prior art for the manufacture ci match combs, i. e., combs of strip material, the combs have usually been split up into lengths for 60 matches to each comb, to be split up ultimately into six match comb sections for ultimate insertion in six match packets or books, These combs are processed into the finished match combs while they are carried on an endless step by step conveyer 20, Figure 1.

The strips, usually four to each link and uniformly spaced along the conveyer, are held at their shank ends by the aid of their own resilience, the strips at their shank ends being held in transverse vertical perforations of the link by staggered laterally spaced oppositely directed abutments of the link presented to and laterally deflecting the strip oppositely at intervals along its opposite sides; all in the prior art.

Step by step movement of the conveyer 2D brings the finished match combs 2| to rest in registry with a vertical comb discharge plunger 22 which also may be that of the prior art.

Initial features of the invention relate to special receptacles 23 and 23 for receiving the nished match combs 2| from the match comb processing conveyer 20.

Each comb receptacle, 23, of the present invention, hereinafter called a comb tray 23, includes a succession of laterally spaced upwardly tapering wedge members 24 held together in spaced relation by side and bottom members 25, with side racks 26 for use in forwardly progressing the trays.

Suitably the trays 23 are exactly alike, and, with the members 24, 25 and 26 of each tray of light metal are Welded into a unit.

In` accord with one feature of the present invention the comb trays 23 are moved step by step in timed relation with the movements of the processing conveyor 26 to bring the upwardly directed wedge members 24 of the comb tray successively in position to receive the comb 2T about to be discharged by the comb discharge plunger 22.

The lengths of forward steps of the conveyer 20 and of the tray are respectively determined by the relative spacing of the match combs 2| in the conveyer 20 and the relative spacing of the wedge members 24 in the trays 23. Any suitable ratchet or other mechanism may be used to bring the Wedge members 24 of .successive trays and the depending combs of the conveyer 23 automatically cne after another to positions to register directly under the discharge plunger 22. Such mechanism is intended to be indicated in Figure 2, where gear-and-shaft drive mechanism 26 of the trays is itself driven by sprocket-and-chain connection at 262 with the intermittently moving drive shaft 26 of the processing conveyer 26.

Figure 3 is intended to provide a schematic showing of other features of the invention, which features include mechanism and steps. for the manufacture of match packets or books using the match combs of the comb trays 23, which trays are suitably charged with match combs, as already explained from the comb processing conveyer 20.

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the match combs 2| as handled by the comb trays 23, are assumed to be of standard size each of 60 matches in relatively staggered spread rows of 30 each. Subsequent to the delivery of the combs from the trays 23, in each illustrated embodiment of the invention they are assumed to be cut, transversely of the stub strip that connects the matches, ultimately into six comb sections,

`|33 on shaft 39.

each section of ten matches in relatively staggered and spread rows of ve matches each. Of course the number is not in itself important and is given here merely by way of example.

The ultimate match package, whether in book or Pullenlite packet form, will thus suitably contain 20 matches, comprising two comb sections of ten matches each.

In Figure 3 the comb trays 23, charged with match combs are placed by an operator between laterally extending plates 28 from the successive links 29 of a tray conveyer chain 36. The plates 28 are adapted to slide the comb trays 23 along a supporting horizontal runway 3| for successive delivery into a vertical guideway 32.

The tray 23 within the vertical guideway 32 is progressed step by step downwardly to register the combs 2| upon the slats which are preferably shaped as wedges 24 at rest in front of a horizontal tray-discharge plunger 33, which is longitudinally slotted at 34 to adapt the plunger to straddle the slats or wedges. 24.

A forward stroke of the plunger 33 delivers a match comb from one of the wedges 24 toposition A on a table 35. When the plunger 33 moves back out of the way, the tray 23 is progressed downwardly to bring the next comb in front of the plunger. A feed frame 36 is provided having transverse feeding bars a, b, c, d and e which engage at the same time each a different comb in different stages of progression toward the packeting conveyer. The frame is shown in raised retracted position. Before the plunger 33 again moves forward, the frame 36 moves downwardly to the table to a position such that the transverse bars of the frame respectively lie behind the head ends of match combs at A, B, C, D, and E in successive stages of the manufacturing operation.

In Figure 3, the feed frame 36 and plunger33 are intended to be shifted forwardly and rearwardly horizontally by a rocker 31 having a fixed pivot 38 and rocked through a wheel 31' and a suitable internal cam, conventionally shown at The connection between the frame 36 and the lever 3'! is shown at links 4| (one only of each shown). The frame is given horizontal slide support by pins 40' in guides 42 of vertical slides 42. This of course, intended to be merely a conventional form, as any of a variety of structures can be used to accomplish the functions and maintain the relations set out between the parts. Figures '7 and 8 show with more accuracy one form by which this part of the invention can be operated. The feed tray thus is moved downwardly, one step during each downward movement of the vertical slide 42.

The rocker 37 operates the tray discharge plunger 33 by link 4|2, rocker 312, pivoted at 38 and link 4 I3.

A second vertical slide 48 vertically positioned in any suitable way (see Figures '7 and 8 for one way) from the cam shaft 39, carries a knife 49, a spreader 50, knives 5| (one only visible) and spreaders 52 (one only visible).

After the feed frame 36 moves down to a position such that the transverse bars a, b', c, d and e are behind the match combs at A., B, C, D and E, both the plunger 33 and the feed frame 36 move horizontally to the right, the plunger 33 delivering a new match comb upon the table, at the position A, and the transverse bars of the feed frame advancing the match members at A, B, C, D and E to B, C, D, E and F respectively, to the horizontally most advanced positions of their strokes. The frame pauses at this point for cutting and spreading operations.

Slides 42 are intended to have vertical movement, suitably guided, through connection with cam shaft 39 and cams 90 shown in Figures 7 and 8. There are two such cams seen in these figures and two such slides 42 which by position are opposite counterparts and which by co-nnection of the cams to the common shaft 39 are timed to any desired setting. These connections will be described in more detail later but operate from structure of which cams Eil in Figure 3 may be considered to be representative.

The slides 42 operate the trays 23 through gear and ratchet connection shown generally at 43. Traci-ng through from the slide 42 there have been shown link 4l; ratchet lever 43; bell crank arm 43": pawl 432 suitably pivoted to the lever 43, ratchet wheel 44 on shaft 45; mating bevelled gears 45, and rack gear 41 engaging with rack 232.

With the feed 'frame down and at rest in its advanced position, the vertical slide 48 moves down and again up to operate and afterward to retract the cutting and spreading members. The knife 43 transversely slits the stub strip portion of the full length comb at B, cutting it off parallel to the lengths of the matches at the middle of the comb, thereby dividing the (iO-match comb into two l-matoh comb sections.

At the same time the two match comb sections at C which in their stage at B have been cut .apart from one E30-match comb are separated by the spreader to a distance such as laterally to bring the middle lines of the two cut sections in position for registry respectively with the middle lines of the receiving positions, respectively, of the second and fifth of a group of six receiving links of a packeting conveyer 53.

The two spread sections at D, earlier spread at C, are each cut into three sections of 10-rnatch length by knives 5l, while at E the spreaders 52 spread the two outer lO-match sections of each three-section half of the comb for registry with the links respectively oppositely adjacent the second and fifth links, as above described.

As a result of the single cut at B and two cuts in each of the BO-match sections at D the match comb is cut into six l0-match sections. The spreaders at C and the multiple spreaders at E space the six sections to agree with the spacing of the conveyer sections.

While the feed frame is advancing to the right in this figure with the transverse bar e pushing the six uniformly spaced match comb sections forwardly at E to deliver them into the particular six suc'cessive links of the conveyer 53 which at that time lie in receiving positions, a suitable guide member may be used to insure accurate positioning of the individual comb sections to direct the advancing comb sections to more perfect registry with their intended positions in the six links of the conveyer 53. Such a device is intended to be shown at 54.

After each group of six comb sections is fed into the six conveyer links which are to receive them and before the advance of the conveyer 53 to register six other links thereof with the match comb-section receiving positions, the guide 54 is lifted out of the way by any suitable mechanism operated by the cam shaft 39 or in any other suitable way.

It will be understood that the intermittent forward movements of the conveyer 53 must be in proper timed relation with the movements of the feed frame 3S and as a conventional illustration that suitable connections are provided adapting the conveyer 53 to progress forwardly to a new position of rest after each lifting of the feed frame 36 (with lifting also of the guide member 54). An electric switch 55, pivoted at 56 and spring-pressed downwardly toward a stationary stop 51 is shown as lifted by the rise of theI vertical slide 42 to close an electric circuit at a contact 58 to energize from a source 59 any suitable control 5!! by which an electrically actuated member Sil registers the conveyer positions successively with those of the slide 42, Any suitable means may be used for advancing the conveyer between its successive stop positions. Optionally the mechanism for intermittently advancing the conveyer 53 may be an electrically operated ratchet generally similar to that shown and subseduently described for advancing the conveyer 29, the member S5 then'comprising a relay and the member Sii' comprising mechanism generally similar to the members E8, 5S and 682 herein described later.

In practice this timed relation between the operations of the packeting conveyer 53 and feed frame 325 would be secured conveniently by cam or gear operation of conveyer 53 and interconnecting the shaft 39 by gearing with the cam shaft by which the packaging conveyer is advanced.

When the downward step by step movements of the comb tray 23 feeding match combs to the plunger 33 bring the comb tray so low in the guideway 52 as to be lower than the bottom of the comb trays in the horizontal guideway 3|, suitable means may advance the conveyer 3D to bring the next comb tray 6| to rest directly atop and in line with the tray already in the vertical guideway 32, making it follow the first tray automatically.

As shown tlr's means includes a switch 52, pivoted at spring-pulled at 64 into normal heel engagement at E5 with the side of the tray within the vertical guideway. As soon as the tray progresses down to a point beyond the switch, the

switch makes contact at 5% through any source El of energy to operate a solenoid S8 whose armature 5S' carries a pawl 652. The pawl successively engage-s sprocket teeth 69 of one of the chainsupporting sprocket wheels S9, pushing the sprocket wheel successively to a new conveyer l link position.

Two only of many diiferent possible types of packeting conveyer are illustrated, respectively for manufacturing Pullenlite packets (Figures 3 and 4) and the usual match book of the prior art (Figure 5). Y

In both types of packet it is assumed there are to be included in each packet 20 matches in two Alil-match comb sections, one section above the other. In the otherwise finished packet of the Pullenlite type the stub strip is cut away after the packet leaves the conveyer or as the finished packet leaves the packeting conveyer 53. The stub strip that holds the matches together remains in the finished packet of the match book type.

The individual links of the packeting conveyers of both types of packets conveniently may be dimensionally alike as to length, width and downwardly directed teeth l0 presented to any suit able or usual mechanism for operating the packeting conveyer.

In the Pullenlite packeting conveyer each link, as shown. in transverse elevation Figures 3 and 4, includes base and slide members 1! and 1|', respectively, of which the member slides up and down upon upright pins 'l2 from the base 1| (see Figure 6 where these pins are shown in one only of the links and also Figures 12 to 15). During different stages of the packeting operations slide member 7| is positioned at a distance away from the base. This is effected by long stationary cam 1,3 presented to a roller 'M pivot ally mounted on the slide 1|'.

The downwardly presented face of the slide 'il' and upwardly presented face of the base 1|, respectively carry springs I and 16 for receiving and holding the stub strip Vportions of the 10- match comb sections.

The slide and base portions 1| and 1| of the link, when in their match receiving positions, are at different elevations. They may be fed with match comb sections simultaneously, coming from the same feed tray 23 at the same time as in Figure 4, i. e., at every second stroke of the feed frame 35 or as in the structure of Figures 6 to 8. In these latter figures the packets are divided at different strokes of a feed frame 36, operating at different levels on match combs from different trays and at each stroke delivering at one level six lO-match comb sections into the base portions Ti of six successive conveyer links and laterally adjacent thereto delivering six other IO-match comb-sections into the slide portions 1| of six successive other conveyer links.

More usually, whether operating to feed a Pullenlite packeting conveyer 53 (Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8) or to feed a match book packeting conveyer 53 (Figure 5) it is advantageous to feed combs simultaneously from two comb traysrather than from one comb tray which ordinarily should make the structure of Figure 4, for example, Vless desirable than that of Figures 6 to 8.

In Figure 4 the forward bar e of the feed frame 36 delivers its six lO-match comb sections (of which the nearest only is seen) into six suitable comb section guideways 11 (one only out of six in each link being visible in Figure 4) that extend through a link 18 of a transfer chain conveyer. The transfer conveyer is advanced downward one link after each forward stroke of the feed frame 36 so that the six guideways TI of the next link are in position to receive the six-section delivery from the next stroke of the feed frame.

An auxiliary feed plunger 19 operates during alternate delivery strokes of the feed frame 36 to deliver two sets of six 10-match comb sections each out of the transfer conveyer at the same time. The plunger drives the comb sections out of the conveyer through a guide member 54 and into the slide and base portions and 1| of six successive links of the conveyer 53.

The match comb sections, at the end of a delivery stroke of the double plunger 'I9 will, as indicated in dot-and-dash have their stub edges gripped by the springs and 16 of the slide and base portions of the conveyer 53 while the spread and staggered rows of matches will lie in through-slots of the stationary guide member 54.

When the conveyer 53 advances after each stroke of the double plunger 19 to present the next six links of the conveyer 53 to their match receiving positions, the matches projecting from the base and slide portions, 1|, 1|' of the conveyer are carried perpendicularly to the paper out of the guideway slots 5||2 to subsequent stages of the packeting, all of which except the final cutting away of the stub strip portions of the match sections desirably take place while the sections are gripped by the packeting conveyer 53.

downward nose 82 of an extension 82 of the feed frame. This takes place at the ends of alternate retraction strokes of the feed frame. Movement of slide 8| at the times of intermediate strokes pulls the link 80 down so as to avoid such latching operative connection during these intermediate strokes. The return strokes of the plunger are schematically shown as effected by the Vtension spring connection to the Vertical slide 8|.

In Figure 5 (Sheet l) the packeting conveyer is of the match-booking type. In preparing and advancing the filling of match comb sections for the book-match, the same type of feed frame is used as has just been described in connection with Figures 1-4.

In this Figure 5 the frame is shown in the raised rearwardly retracted position ready at its next movement to lower directly to bring the bar a back of the rst stage A and the other bars in corresponding positions for advancement in order that there may be subsequent to the advance, at the different stages, operation upon match sections by knives at positions B and D, by separating mechanism to separate the two parts of the initial Gil-match comb at the C stage and by separating mechanism to separate the three parts of each half at the E stage.

It is much more convenient to spread the inner and outer of the three sections from the middle section and to leave the middle section in the position in which it has been placed at the first spreading than to attempt to replace all three of these sections. For this reason the spread at stage C should be such that the middle of each of the two parts there spread shall be in line with the second and with the fifth link, respectively, in the packeting conveyer. The middle section in each part will then remain unchanged in lateral position and be in proper position to enter its corresponding link in the chain. This proper positioning of the parts permits the inner and outer sections of each group of three to be spaced from the middle section of its group of three without moving the middle section of the three.

One link only of the packeting chain 69 is shown in Figure 5. In it is shown the intended wrap 83 and a spring 84 which holds the wrap in its position.

The chain 53 is in itself old in the art and it is old in the art to insert the wraps 83 within the links of the chain at a stage in its progress prior to the insertion of the book-match-comb sections. The links of the old chain contain springs 84 corresponding with the springs 84 shown.

Figure 5 however differs from the prior art not only in the mechanism for placing, cutting, spreading and feeding the match comb sections, centering around the frame 36, but differs from it and from the disclosure in connection with Figures 1-4 in the interposition of a transfer mechanism shown in the slide carrier 81 which lifts and lowers between the position shown in full lines in Figure and a position slightly above this full line position.

The slide carrier 81 is lifted and lowered and the presser foot guide-and-stop 54' (Figure 5) is lowered and lifted by any suitable mechanisms not shown, preferably by cam operation in such 4:relation to the progression of the matches shown at stages A to E, that two progressions of the matches take place, i. e., two cycles of movement of the frame 36, to each lifting and lowering movement of the slide carrier 81 and to each lowering and lifting of the presser foot guide stop, respectively.

The upper part of the slide carrier is provided with a space 31 having a bottom 812 effective as a plunger, and having available side walls 813 which side walls are preferably part of the fixed structure in order that no change in the frame may be required by reason of the lifting -of these walls which would take place if these walls form part of the slide carrier. It is open both front and back. Evidently the side walls need not be part of the carrier but may be stationary if they provide a space 81 and a plunger so that before the carrier 81 moves downwardly the first progression yof match sections from position E places a section 85 upon the upper surface of the carrier or plunger as seen in Figure 5 and, with the next cycle of the frame 36 a second section 85 is placed on top of the rst section by bar E.

The slide 81 and presser foot 54 are so set that the presser foot a greater part of the time lies above the path of movement of bar f of frame 36 and slide 81 a -greater part of the time lies in its lower position. The presser foot after each operation at its lower position, during which it guides the top of the upper 10-match comb section 85 while the bar f of the frame passes under it, must be lifted out of the way prior to the upward and rst rearward part of the retraction movement of the frame.

It will be understood that the frame 35 advances 60 matches with their accompanying stubs from each position to the next forward position of the frame. Of these 60 matches, we see in the view the edges of the rst set only. The frame lifts after its m'ost forward position has been reached, retracts horizontally in its lifted position, lowers and again pushes forward.

The following movements take place during the advance of the frame: With the parts in the position shown in Figure 5 the bar f comes down and advances without carrying a match section ,into the chain link 53 because one match section only is in the space S1 between carrier 81 and the guide and stop 54, and the carrier 81 is down. Meantime bar e carries a set of six -match comb sections from stage E, where they have been spaced, to a position in which each section 85 liesabove a section 85. At the same time bar d carries six cut match comb sections which have been spaced, three of them from the other three, but have not otherwise been spaced, from stage D to stage E and bar c carried two spaced BO-match comb sections, which have not yet been further cut into 10- match sections, from stage C to stage D. Meanwhile bar b has shoved two severed but not spaced 30-match comb sections from stage B to stage C, and bar a has carried one GO-match comb section from stage A to stageB.

The same operation is performed in the next cycle of movement of the frame 36 except that there are now two sets of six 10match comb sections, in each space 81' lying between slide 81 and the stop 54', in each position. One of these l-match sections 85 lies above the previously depositedI 10-match section and the two are in line within the path of movement of bar f because the guide and stop 54 hasncome down and the slide 81 has been raised. Each vertical pair of 10-match sections is relatively compressed between the slide and the stop 54. Therefore at the second forward stroke of the frame bar will push the corresponding two lll-match comb sections forward into the position seen in Figure 5c where the stubs of the two sections lie, one over the other, within the hook 8S.` They are held in this position by the spring 84.

This retains the parts in position for stapling which may be performed immediately if the time cycle provided permits this -or which may be performed at a later stage in the advance of the chain.

Figures 6 to 8 are intended to illustrate a particularly desirable embodiment of important features of the invention applied to feeding twelve lOematch comb sections simultaneously to twelve successive links of a Pullenlitef match packeting conveyer 53, of the kind already shown in transverse vertical section in Figure 3 and in Figure 4.

The illustrated parts, shown in more detail than in schematic Figure 3, carry the same reference numerals in Figures 6 to 8 as the corresponding parts of Figure 3 so that the description already given of Figure 3 applying also to Figures 6 to 8, is not repeated further than to amplify somewhat the earlier description.

The cams 88, 8S and gli occurring in opposite counterpart duplicate at the two sides of supporting structure 9|, engage cam rollers 92, 31' and 93V respectively. They control the Vertical slide 48, the horizontal movements of the tray discharge plunger 33, the feed frame 3G and the vertical movements of the vertical slide 42 in,

which slide the feed frame is supported and slides horizontally, as already explained.

The combs 2l and 2|2 delivering simultaneously from the intermittently downwardly stepped comb trays 233 and 3.34 respectively on the table portions 35 and 352 are in successive positions bisected, spread, trisected in each part and again spread. The first cutting is by knives 49 and 492. The half sections are spread at C by spreaders 50 and 592, the spread half sections are trisected at D by knives 5l' and 512. Six of the ultimate comb sections are laterally registered with the slide portionsv 1l', of six conveyer links and the other six comb sections are registered with the base portions 1| of the adjoining six conveyer links by the spreaders 52' and 522 respectively.

After each forward Vstroke of the feed frame 36, delivering twelve 10-match comb sections, into twelve successive links of the conveyer 5'3, six of the comb sections being received by the vertical slide portions H of the conveyer and six by the base portions 'H of six adjoining links, the conveyer is advanced six links so that each delivery stroke of the feed frame is followed by a six link advance of the conveyer 53.

The detail structure of the knives and spreaders obviously may be varied widely.

As illustrated the knives are mounted in housing structure upon brackets 94 bolted at 95 to any lug upon the vertical slide 48. The knives are vertically adjustable by set screws 96 suitably supported and engaging the upper ends of the knives. u

- better disclose the knives.

The spreaders 50, as illustrated in Figures '7 and 8 comprise cooperating members 93 and 99 pivoting in pairs of opposite counterpart character on pins |90 fixed in the vertical slide 48. Y They spread away from one another below the pivot |00, and are pulled toward one another by springs IUI acting below the pivot. Above the pivot upward extensions |02 are normally pressed by the action of the springs IOI against fixed pins IGS extending from the vertical slide. The engagements of the upward extensions |52 of the meinbers 98 and 99 with the pins I 03 limit the approach of their spread lower ends IM. These lower ends |04 are transversely elongated and fairly sharp at their bottom edges for better engagements with the match comb sections.

The spreaders 52, except for dimensioned differences incident to the lesser range oi spreadings required of the spreaders 52 than of the spreaders 50, are illustrated as of similar construction as the spreaders 50, with the tension springs It I however shown above instead of below the xed pivots |06. The stop pins |53' or |93 above the pivots I U' or I 00, in each case prevent bodily turning of the spreadersabout their pivots |90 or |00.

When the spreaders descend, carried down by the vertical slide 48, their bottom edges at I lill or I 04 engage the comb sections which have been cut apart first by the knife 49' or 492 along a line half way between the descending edges IM or |04 and subsequently trisected by the knives 5I or 522 and located so that the middle line of each middle trisection is midway between the bottom edges of one of the descending spreaders 52.

When the edges engage the comb sections the spreader members spread to accommodate their continuing downward movement about their pivots |00 and IIJIJ, the comb sections engagedby the spreading points sliding apart until the spreading members reach the end of their downward movements when the Vertical slide 48 is in lowest position.

For more exact registration of the lO-match cut comb sections with their intended positions for entry into the links of the packeting conveyer 53, therspreading sections may, as illustrated in Figure 6, at stages C and E respectively, be spread to deiinite stops at |95 and |06, and when their outer edges are against the inwardly directed stops and |85 their inner edges have just passed beyond outwardly directed steps I Q1 at statge E and outwardly directed steps |33 at stage C. Sloping approaches to the steps Iii? and IES are indicated at |09, Figure 7.

During the upward and inward retractions of the spreaders the steps IO'I and I 08 keep the spread sections from moving somewhat back toward one another.

In the modification of Figures 9 to 11 the sections, cut apart at stage B, as already described, are at stage C received upon individual horizontal slides I I0 and III, and the outer and inner sections cut apart from middle sections at stage D are at stage E received upon individual slides I I2 and I|3.

The two sets of slides III), III and II2, IIB replace the spreaders 5D and 52 of Figures 6 to 8, and as indicated, laterally separate the cut sections by reverse movements of the slides IIB and III, stage C and reverse movements of the slides I I2 and H3, stage E. They may operate essentially alike in the two stages so that only the operation of the slides II2 and II3, stage E is described in detail.

In Figures 9 to 11 the four slide plates I I2 `are rigidly fastened at il!! to a connecting bar II5 and the four slide plates H3 are rigidly fastened at IM to a connecting bar IIB. The bars II5 and HES lie side by side and are reversely shiftable back and forth by toggle links II'I and ||8 by movement of a vertical slide bar IIS common to both links.

rIhe operating vertical slide bar I I9 is itself operated by a suitable cam not shown but which conveniently may be located on the cam shaft 39. During the cutting at stages B and D, by reason oi the descent of the knife-carrying slide 48, the vertical slide IIS moves up to reversely shift the bars liti and IIE and thereby spread the slides II2 and |I3, carrying the 10-match comb sections which are to be spread.

For definite registration of the 10-match comb sections in their desired positions the plates II2 and II3 are shown with walls |20, the bar e of the feed frame being upwardly recessed at |2I to pass these walls during the advance stroke of the feed frame to Ydeliver the SiO-match comb sections into the links of the conveyer 53. When the feed frame 36 rises for its retraction, the spreader plates Il?! and IIB retract to their receiving positions by cam controlled downward retraction of the slide IIS.

Figures 12, 13 and 15 are some somewhat schematic elevations showing one of the links of a Pullenlite type of packeting conveyor at stages of the packeting operation subsequent to the receiving of the match combs by the slide.

and base portions 'II and 'II' of the link.

In Figure l2 one link of the packeting conveyer is shown as at rest in its wrap receiving position. at |23, |24, |25 and also preferably upon each side of each of the four transverse rows of perorations |26, is shown in front of a horizontal spacer delivery plunger I2I, the heads of the individual matches registering in iront of the individual perforations oi the spacer, under the guidance of cams 28 and I3.

The cam IES serves ior the match comb sections carried by the link slide 'II' and for those carried by the link base 1I. t is therefore provided with two spaced match-row spreaders |29 corresponding in spacing and in position with the spacing and positions of the two separate .l0-match comb sections carried by the individual link.

The cam carries also projecting abutments |30 intended to press against the blank along score lines and thereby, in cooperation with abutments upon plunger |27 to break the blank preparatory to formation oi the blank into its form as used.

Both thev spreaders E29 and the breaking abutments i3@ are supported from one end only, like tines oi a fork, so that the match sections and their associated spacer may be slid off of the free ends of the spreaders and breaking abutments by appropriate forward movement of the link. In the illustration the spreaders and abutments are intended to be supported at the ends toward the observer so that movement of the link away from the observer will free the match sections and theirV associated spacer from the spreaders and from the abutments.

The spacer biank 22, transversely scored position with the blades 39 and 40 shown in 111g-,

The cam |28 is provided also with guiding and positioning end pieces for the blank to assist in forming it into a spacer.

It will be understood that the structure and operation being described in connection with the unit illustrated-a single link unitare true and will take place simultaneously at each of the units, six in one form described and twelve in another form described.

After the conveyer has come to rest with the match section whose operation I am describing in the blank engaging position, the plunger 12'! advances to bend the blank |22 from its full line position (Figure 12) to the position shown in dotted lines in this figure. During the advance movement the heads of the matches pass through the perforations iZS, and the blank is bent along its score lines by the cooperating plunger and cam edges, with the result and effect that the blank is given a series of bends preparatory to and in the direction of nal form. The intermediate form of the blank is intended to be indicated roughly by the dot-and-dash lines showing the blank in Figure 12.

After this bending takes place the link moves forward to free the match sections and the partly bent blank by passing them out over the free tine-like ends of the cam |28.

After the match comb sections and their partly folded blank (which is being folded into a spacer) are free from the cam |28, two operations take place coincidentally during continued movement of the link. The one operation is that the spacer is pressed further up toward the stub ends of the match sticks and the other that the match sections are drawn closer together toward their ultimate wrapped position by downward move- `ment of the slide.

The spacer is shoved further up on the match sticks, toward the stub ends of the sticks, by a cam |23' which carries blades |32 which progressively approach the stub ends of the matches so that the farther the match sections move the further the blades press the spacer in between and over the match sticks. This movement is preferred to its alternative, namely bodily movement of the cam I't to the right in the figure.

At the same time that the 10match comb sections are moved away from the observer and the spacers are pushed in toward the stubs by the blades of cam |28', provision is made for moving the match sections bodily and laterally with respect to each other, toward each other. This is accomplished by moving the slide 1|' down toward and ultimately upon the base 1l.

An intermediate position is shown in Figure 13. The movement of the slide is accommodated by sloping the blades |32 and |322 toward the blade |323 in the illustration of Figure 13. This is done progressively so that the blades can push the spacer to the right in Figure 13 at the same time that the blades approach each other to accommodate the movement of the slide 1| by cam 13.

During all of this time the individual 1G-1natch comb sections are held in the slide '5|' and the base '1| respectively by springs 'i5 and 13.

The spacer shown in Figures l2 and 13 is essentiall'y the spacer shown in Figures 5 and (i of my Pullen application Serial No. 94,784, filed August '7, 1935, and the position of the parts as shown in Figure 13 is very nearly the position of the parts shown in Figure 10 of that application. The blades carried by cam |28 of the present application correspond in function and nearly in ure 10 of the pending application.

There are two differences between the conditions present in Figures 13 of the present application and 10 of the pending application. In Figure 13 the two 10-strip sections are separately supported and can be held by their supports, either separated as in Figure 13 or together (spaced by springs 'l5 and 16). The packet is completed in any suitable Way. For example, the other operations outlined in my pending application may be performed to complete the structure to the form shown in Figure 15 of the present application, corresponding with Figures i. and 4 of the pending application except that in Figures 1 and 4 the stub strips have been detached. The match sections and spacer may be supported by the link while these or other subsequent operations are performed by hand, adding to the structure of Figure 13 the bale of Figure 19 and the wrap of Figure 18 and subsequently cutting the stubs to free the match sticks, either before or after removal from the chain. Later this is described in more detail.

The presence of the springs 15 and 16 between the two sections requires merely that the matches be cut free from their stubs while they are supported by the chain or that they be detached from the chain and subsequently cut.

As the slide 1| approaches the base section 1| the outer faces of the partly or fully completed packet may be supported or gripped to vassist in any other operation by holders |33 which are guided in the slide 1|' and base 1|, respectively. These holders terminate in clamp faces |34 at one end and at the other end in lugs |35, which lugs cooperate with cam track grooves |36 of a cam rail |31, which engage the lugs and either shift the holders toward or away from the links. These grooves determine the extension of the clamps. Two different positions of the clamps are shown in Figures 13 and 15.

Any suitable ejection means can be applied, of which one form appears in Figure 17. The relation of the springs 15 and 16 to the link parts is shown in Figure 14 in order that it may be clear that the ejector has room to pass into the link and to engage with the stubs of the sections and to force them out from their engagement by the springs. The plunger fits between the springs.

Figure 16 gives a hypothetical cam diagram. It makes more clear the timing relations present. In View of the description letter on the drawings and the discussion throughout the specification no additional discussion would seem to be needed.

In the structure seen in Figure 1'7 cutting and distributing mechanism is shown for feeding six match comb sections to six.` corresponding links of a chain, the other six comb sections for the links (so that each link will carry two sections) having been fed by the immediately preceding sectionfeeding stroke. Each of the six links thus carries a comb section above and a comb section below, held in place by springs at their uncut comb stubs, corresponding in general to the positions seen in Figure 12. As the conveyer moves to the right in this Figure 17 at steps of six links at a time the operation shown in Figure 12 is first performed upon it followed by the progressive closing of the parts of the links, as seen in Figure 13. While the comb sections are still held by the upper and lower parts of the links with the link parts closed, the bale I1 (Figure 19. corresponding to` Figure 7 of my pending application) form the end closures of the packet, as seen at |4D in Figure 15 here and as explained in the pending application.

The bale is double scored at |42 in order to accommodate the bending necessary for placing the bale.

Scratcher material is carried by the spacer, as in my application.

The wrap |43 (Figure 18, corresponding to the wrap of Figures 8 and 9 of the pending application) is next applied lengthwise, as distinguished from the crosswise application of the bale, the section |44 comprising the bottom closure across the head ends of` the matches and the sections |45 and |46 forming the flat sides of the packet with the glue at |41 available to hold the folds together, and the flaps |48` covering the match sticks. Double scoring |42 here also facilitates the bending of the wrap for application as indicated.

These various operations performed to complete the Wrap are shown in my application referred to above, Serial No. 94,784. They may be performed by hand, with the advantage however in the illustration that the match sections may be supported by the chain conveyer while the operations are performed, i. e., the bale and the wrap may be applied during the time between the loading of the conveyer at the left-hand of Figure 1'7 and discharge fromA the conveyer seen at the right-hand of the same figure.

It will thus be seen that two match-comb sections start, one above the other in each link at the left of Figure 1'7, and match packets complete (except for the stubs by which the match packet sections within them support the packets) arrive at the right-hand end of Figure 17.

At the right-hand of this ligure the match packets are ejected from the conveyer by the iingers |49 of a plunger |5|, so that packets |50 rest upon a table |52 from which they may be boxed by hand or by automatic mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A match comb machine including a comb match-processing conveyer having intermittent periods of rest and movement and supporting the combs head-ends-out by'their uncut stub strips, a delivery plunger adapted to push the combs at their stub edges and to deliver them successively head edge forward from the conveyer in combination with a comb tray including laterally spaced wedges for successive registry between the spread rows of matches of the individual combs successively being delivered from the conveyer.

2. A match comb tray including a succession oi laterally spaced wedges, said wedges comprising mounts for match combs about which the spread rows of matches of the combs are successively straddled.

3. The structure of claim 1 and means for operating the comb machine and comb tray in timed relations to deposit the combs which are being delivered successively upon the successive wedges.

4Q'Ihe structure of claim 2, in combination with a 4match packeting machine, a split plunger for delivering match combs thereto, means for guiding the tray to positions of comb-registry with the split plunger and other means and at intervals forwardly feeding the tray so that for advancing successive slats to a receiving po= sitionl and means for shifting the match combs head ends iirst from their positions in the conveyer to positions in which the rows of matches in the combs straddle the slats and are supported on the slats with their stub ends out.

6. A match comb conveyer carrying by their stub ends a succession of match combs each having the matches spread, alternate matches lying in different planes, in combination with slats for the match combs presenting edges over which the rows of the individual match combs are adapted to be moved, and by Which the match combs are adapted to be supported with the stub ends out, the heads of the matches assisting in retaining the combs upon the slats.

7. A match comb conveyer supporting a succession of match combs held therein by the uncut stubs of the match combs and presenting adjacent rows of matches staggered, adjoining matches in different rows, means for ejeoting the combs head ends rst in predetermined positions, a plurality of supported slats, and means for moving the slats into registration with the combs successively to receive the combs ejected from the conveyer head ends first over the slats so that the matches straddle the slats and are supported by the slats. Y

8. In a match packeting mechanism, a tray having uniformly spaced slats adapted to carry comb sections and in which the match sections straddle the comb with the uncut comb stub projecting, an ejector engaging the heads of the matches of the rows and shoving them from the slats and a table upon which the combs are received as they are removed from the slats.

9. Mechanism for handling match combs, comprising mechanism for cutting a match comb into parts, a spreader for separating the parts, cutters for subsequently dividing each part, spreaders for spreading the parts so divided, a conveyer having separate links to receive the individual spread parts and mechanism for subsequently at another position of the conveyer links ejecting the spread comb sections from the conveyer.

10. A feed frame engaging the comb and suc-Y cessively advancing the vcomb and its sections step-by-step, a cutter by which the comb is cut at an early stage, a separator by which the parts of the comb are separated at a succeeding stage, a cutter by which the comb sections are again cut at an additional stage, a separator for the additionally cut comb sections and a conveyer to which the feed frame delivers the cut and spaced sections, one section to each link of the conveyer.

11. In mechanism for handling match combs,

a tray having a plurality of slats each straddled by the rows of matches ci' a match comb, means for progressing the tray step by step to present the match-straddled slats successively to a position for match ejection, an ejector engaging the heads of the matches to push them from the individual slats at the same point in the progress are delivered andl a feeding, cutting and spacing system by which sections of the comb are cut from the comb and are fed. and separated.

12. In mechanism for handling match combs, a tray having a plurality of slats each straddled by the rows of matches of a match comb, means for progressing the tray step by step to present the match-straddled slats successively to a position for match ejection, an ejector engaging the heads of the matches to push them from the individual slats atl the same point in the progress of the tray, a table upon which the match combs are delivered, a feeding, cutting and spacing system by which sections of the comb are cut from the comb` and are cut, fed and separated, a conveyer movable past the cut and spaced sections and means for feeding the sections uncut stub rst into separated links of the conveyer.

13. Mechanism for cutting and spacing two sets of match combs presenting sections from them at diierent lengths along the path of a link conveyer and at different levels, match comb cutting and distributing mechanisms, a conveyer travelling a path and having parts of the conveyer links movable relatively one to the other, holding mechanism for the sections in each of the parts of the links, means for moving the conveyer, means for loading one set of links on one level from the one cutting and distributing mechanism and another set of conveyer links from the other cutting and distributing mechanism, the two parts oi links being loaded concurrently one part at link positions in advance of the link positions at which the other parts are loaded and means for moving the parts of the conveyer toward each other to assemble two sections in each link.

14. In a match packeting machine for the manufacture of match packets with the match portions thereof from match comb sections, a table, a packeting conveyer adapted to present its links at rest in match receiving positions along one side of the table to there receive comb sections edgewise and to hold the sections for packeting operations upon them while still held by the links and at positions of the links beyond their respective match receiving positions, means for delivering match combs on the table at a portion thereof away from the conveyer, means for progressing ie combs in stages edgewise across the table for the delivery of comb sections into the conveyer links and different means operative at the dierent stages respectivelyT for cutting the combs into sections and for laterally relatively spreading the sections to positions registering them edgewise in front of a plurality of conveyer links, one for cach comb section, at its said match receiving position.

15. In match assembling mechanism, cutting and spacing distributing means for match sections from match combs in combination with a plunger adapted to operate at dierent levels, means for lifting and lowering the plunger, a presser foot above the plunger, a feeding mechanism adapted to move a plurality of sections under the presser foot and timed to operate twice for each operation of the presser foot, a conveyer having match covers within individual links of the conveyer and matching the links of the conveyer with positions of match sections in the plunger and means on the feeding mechanism for transferring match sections, two at a time, for each length into the link and within the cover which is in the link.

16. In a match packeting machine, a framey having slats upon which match combs are mounted, stubends out, a table, means for ejecting the combs upon the table, a feed frame, means for moving the feed frame successively to engage and carry the matches of the comb successively to different position, means for dividing'the comb at one of the positions, a separator for moving divided parts of the comb at another position, cutters for again separating the comb, separators for again spacing the comb sections, a conveyer having links adapted to carry the comb sections and corresponding in spacing with the comb sections as nally spacedand means carried by the feed frame for moving the comb sections into engagement with the links.

17. In mechanism for separating and conveying match sections formed from match combs, means for cutting and spacing thesections of the comb, similar means for cutting and spacing sections from another comb at a different level, a conveyer having links each of which is adapted to receive two sections, at levels respectively corresponding to the two levels above and means for simultaneously feeding both sets of sections into different links of the conveyer at the two levels.

18. In distributing and conveying mechanism for match sections cut from match combs, means for cutting and spacing the parts of combs to positions corresponding with links of a chain, a chain having links so spaced and each link having provision for receiving two sections at different levels, a distributor having compartments spaced to correspond with different levels, means for transferring the comb sections successively into compartments of the distributor and means for simultaneously feeding thev sections from two compartments of the distributor into the conveyer at the two levels.

19. In mechanism for distributing sections of match combs, a table, cutting mechanism for cutvting the comb into three sections and a spreader for the outside sections of the three comprising pivoted arms oppositely movable with relative vertical movement of the parts, supporting means for holding the arms together resiliently and means for moving the parts relatively.

20. In distributing mechanism for sections cut from a match comb, means for bisecting the comb, means for spacing the bisected parts of the comb to positions in which their middle portions correspond to the intended positions of the middle sections, means for feeding the bisected comb sections forward, trisecting means for each of the two parts of the comb, slides upon which the outer and inner of each trisected grouprest and means for moving the slides for each trisected group apart to space the outer and inner sections from the middle sections respectively.

21. In a distributing mechanism for sections cut from match combs, a table, mechanism for bisecting the combs, a feed frame advancing the combs in stages from one position to another, distributing means and cutting mechanism whereby the combs and comb sections are advanced successively and are cut and spaced to form uniformly spaced comb sections and conveyer means having links spaced in correspondence with the spacing of the comb sections and fed by the frame whereby the comb sections are brought into transfer relation with the conveyer.

22. The method of mounting match combs upon a support which consists in moving the combs laterally to cause them tostraddle head ends iirst over the support which spreads the rows apart and holding the combs upon the support by the retractive resilience of the rows of matches.

23. The method of mounting match combs upon a support which comprises moving the combs laterally with respect to the support to wedge them apart by the support and holding the combs by the retractive resilience of the rows of m-atches and by engagement of the heads of the matches with a part of the support of less thickness than that over which the heads have been wedged.r

24. The method of transferring match combs from a conveyer upon which they are mounted and upon a support, which consists in successively ejecting the combs match head forward, spreading the rows of matches in the combs by wedge action due to the straddling movement of the combs and supporting them by the resilience of the combs against the wedge separation whereby the combs are presented stub ends out from the support.

25. The method of transferring match combs from a conveyer in which they are supported at their stub ends to the slats of a frame, which consists in causing the conveyer and the slats of the frame to travel opposite each other and close together whereby the slats of the frame lie at the time of transfer opposite the division between the rows of matches in the combs, in ejecting the combs match 4head ends first from the conveyer so as to straddle the combs over the slats, in spreading the lcombs by the slats and in retaining the combs upon the slats by the retractive resilience ofthe rows of matches gripping the slats.

26. The method of collecting groups of sections of match combs into carrying engagement with the upper and lower portions of conveyer links to form packets, two comb sections to each packet, which consists in supplying the sections one group to the Vupper portions of the conveyer links in one position of the conveyer length while simultaneously supplying the sections of the second group to the lower portions of conveyer links at another position in the length of the conveyer, in shifting the conveyer, in supplying the sections of another group to portions of the conveyer in superimposed relation with sections already supplied to this part of the conveyer while supplying the sections of another group to a third part of the conveyer length in an additional position of the conveyer and in repeating the ope-ration, whereby during the successive movements of the conveyer, part of each link is supplied with a comb section at one link position and the other part of the link is supplied with a comb section at another conveyer position and both parts of the conveyer links are supplied with sections superimposed one over the other.

27. The method of supplying sections of match combs to a conveyer successively having upper and lower receiving portions in the respective conveyer links, which consists in splitting the combs up into sets of sections in spacing the sections of each set a distance corresponding to the link spacings of the conveyer, some of the sections being in position to be engaged by one part each of the links of the conveyer and an equal number of sections in position to be engaged by other parts each of the links of the conveyer, in engaging the two sets of sections with the links simultaneously, in shifting the conveyer a distance corresponding with the number of links supplied from one set of sections and in repeating the operation.

28. The method of transferring match combs to supports from the conveyer by which the matches have been dipped which consists in moving the supports into positions to register with the combs so that the rows of matches on the combs straddle the supports, in transferring the supports to a point of use and in ejecting the match combs from the supports by pressure upon the heads of both rows of matches simultaneously and in position for the next operation.

29. The method of dividing and distributing the parts of a match comb to conveyer sections which consists in halving the comb, in spacing the halvesY to a distance so that their middle portions will register in front of the middle portions of the conveyer sections to which they are to be distributed, in trisecting the halves, in spacing the trisections o-n opposite sides from the middle section of each half to register with the positions of the conveyer sections in which they are to be placed and in bodily feeding simultaneously all of the sections into which the comb has been cut to conveyer sections.

30. The method of supplying sections of match combs to a conveyer successively having upper and lower receiving positions inthe respective conveyer links, which consists in splitting the combs up into sections, spacing the sections a distance corresponding to the link spacing of the conveyer, spacing some of the sections in position to be engaged by one part of the links of the conveyer and an equal number in position to be engaged by the other links of the conveyer, in engaging the two sets of sections with the links simultaneously, in shifting the conveyer a distance corresponding with the number of links supplied from one set of sections, and in bringing two parts of the conveyer toward one another as the conveyer progresses to place the two match sections engaged by each link in juxtaposition.

31. The method of supplying sections of match combs to a conveyer successively having upper and lower receiving portions in the respective conveyer links and of packeting the comb sections while on the conveyer in packets each having two match sections and a separator having a fold between the match rows of each section and a fold between the adjacent match rows of the different sections, which consists in splitting the combs of successive pairs of combs up into sections in registering the sections of one comb of each pair in position to be engaged by the upper receiving portions of successive links of the conveyer and the sections of the other comb of each pair simultaneously in position to be engaged by the lower receiving portions of successive other links of the conveyer, in engaging the two sets of sections with the links simultaneously, in shifting the conveyer a distance corresponding with the number of links supplied from one set of sections, in placing the separator over the heads of the matches in each section and in bringing the receiving portions of the conveyer links toward each other while pushing the separator between the match rows of the sections.

32. The method of supplying sections of match combs to a conveyer successively having upper and lower receiving portions in the respective conveyer links and of packeting the comb sections while on the conveyer in packets each having two match sections, a separator having folds respectively between successive match rows of each section and between the sections, having a bale about each pair of sections laterally and a wrap about each pair of sections longitudinally which consists in splitting the combs of successive pairs of combs up into sections, in registering the sections of one comb of each pair in position to be engaged by the upper receiving portions of successive links of the conveyer and the sections of the other comb of each pair simultaneously in position to be engaged by the lower receiving portions of successive other links of the conveyer, in engaging the two sets of sections With the links simultaneously, in shifting the conveyer a distance corresponding With the number of links supplied from one set of sections, in placing a separator over the heads of the matches in each section, in bringing the receiving portions of the conveyer links toward each other while pushing the separator between theV match rows of the sections, in placing a bale about each pair of sections laterally and a Wrap about each pair of sections longitudinally to form packets While supporting the pair of sections from the conveyer and in ejecting the packets from the conveyer.

RODNEY S. PULLEN. 

